Throttling to control thermal properties through a node

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for controlling thermal properties of a node. The method steps include calculating, using a temperature reading, a transmission duty cycle of the node, calculating a data amount capable of being transmitted with the transmission duty cycle, and transmitting, from a network interface of the node, a plurality of available data at a rate less than the data amount based on a priority of the plurality of available data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/891,698, filed on Oct. 16, 2013, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Many systems that transmit data over a network generate heat when thedata is transmitted. Over time, the heat generated can accumulate andaffect the systems. Reducing the heat generated by data transmission canenhance the operations of such systems. Further, a system that transmitsdata over a network often transmits data of varying priorities.Prioritizing certain types of data transmission over others may benecessary when the system suffers degradation caused by overheating,extreme network traffic, and/or other factors.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method forcontrolling thermal properties of a node. The method steps includecalculating, using a temperature reading, a transmission duty cycle ofthe node, calculating a data amount capable of being transmitted withthe transmission duty cycle, and transmitting, from a network interfaceof the node, a plurality of available data at a rate less than the dataamount based on a priority of the plurality of available data.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system forcontrolling thermal properties of a node. The system includes atransmission network, a server and the node operatively connected to theserver via the transmission network, wherein the node includes a firstprocessor configured to calculate, using a temperature reading, atransmission duty cycle of the node, calculate a data amount capable ofbeing transmitted with the transmission duty cycle, and transmit, from anetwork interface of the node, a plurality of available data at a rateless than the data amount based on a priority of the plurality ofavailable data.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a non-transitorycomputer readable medium embodying instructions executable by thecomputer to perform method steps to control thermal properties of anode. The instructions include functionality to calculate, using atemperature reading, a transmission duty cycle of the node, calculate adata amount capable of being transmitted with the transmission dutycycle, and transmit, from a network interface of the node, a pluralityof available data at a rate less than the data amount based on thepriority of the plurality of the available data.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 show schematic system diagrams in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4-5 show flowcharts in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 shows an example schematic system diagrams in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the variousfigures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known featureshave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicatingthe description.

In general, embodiments of the invention provide a system wheretransmission of available data is controlled in an effort to control thethermal properties of the system. Specifically, one or more embodimentsof the invention provide a method, system, and computer readable mediumfor controlling thermal properties of a node. The nodes, or the serversconnected to the nodes over a transmission network, calculate the amountand/or rate of available data that may be transmitted over thetransmission network based on a temperature reading at one or morepoints in the system. Available data is transmitted based on thepriority of the available data.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented on virtually any type ofcomputing system, regardless of the platform being used. For example,the computing system may be one or more mobile devices (e.g., laptopcomputer, smart phone, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, orother mobile device), desktop computers, servers, blades in a serverchassis, or any other type of computing device or devices that includesat least the minimum processing power, memory, and input and outputdevice(s) to perform one or more embodiments of the invention.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the computing system (100) may includeone or more computer processor(s) (102), associated memory (104) (e.g.,random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory, etc.), one ormore storage device(s) (106) (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive suchas a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, aflash memory stick, etc.), and numerous other elements andfunctionalities. The computer processor(s) (102) may be an integratedcircuit for processing instructions. For example, the computerprocessor(s) may be one or more cores, or micro-cores of a processor.The computing system (100) may also include one or more input device(s)(110), such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, touchpad,electronic pen, or any other type of input device. Further, thecomputing system (100) may include one or more output device(s) (108),such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay, touchscreen, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, projector, orother display device), a printer, external storage, or any other outputdevice. One or more of the output device(s) may be the same or differentfrom the input device(s). The computing system (100) may be connected toa network (112) (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN) such as the Internet, mobile network, or any other type ofnetwork) via a network interface connection (not shown). The input andoutput device(s) may be locally or remotely (e.g., via the network(112)) connected to the computer processor(s) (102), memory (104), andstorage device(s) (106). Many different types of computing systemsexist, and the aforementioned input and output device(s) may take otherforms.

Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code toperform embodiments of the invention may be stored, in whole or in part,temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer readable mediumsuch as a CD, DVD, storage device, a diskette, a tape, flash memory,physical memory, or any other computer readable storage medium.Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to computerreadable program code that when executed by a processor(s), isconfigured to perform embodiments of the invention.

Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing system(100) may be located at a remote location and connected to the otherelements over a network (112). Further, one or more embodiments of theinvention may be implemented on a distributed system having a pluralityof components, where each portion of the invention may be located on adifferent component within the distributed system. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the component corresponds to a distinct computing device.Alternatively, the component may correspond to a computer processor withassociated physical memory. The node may alternatively correspond to acomputer processor or micro-core of a computer processor with sharedmemory and/or resources.

FIG. 2A shows a diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. One or more embodiments contain a node (202), atransmission network (204), and a server (206). The node (202) isoperatively connected to the server (206) via the transmission network(204). Each of these components is further described below.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node (202) is acomputing device (e.g., personal computer, embedded system, system onchip, system on module, etc.) that may send/receive available datato/from the server (206) via the transmission network (204). The node(202) is further described in connection with FIG. 3.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the transmission network(204) is a set of communications hardware and/or software (e.g., acellular data network, an 802.11 WiFi network, a wired Ethernet network,a satellite network, an IPv6 network, etc.) (WiFi is a registeredtrademark of Wi-Fi Alliance, Austin, Tex., USA) that may send availabledata between the node (202) and the server (206).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the server (206) is acomputing device (e.g., dedicated server, personal computer, cloudservice, etc.) that may send/receive available data to/from the node(202) via the transmission network (204). The server (206) may be usedto monitor the node (202) (e.g., check status of the node, ascertaintemperature reading at the node, send various commands or requests tothe node, etc.). Although the transmission network (204) may not needcentralized control, the server (206) may also be used to performcontrol functions (e.g., change network settings, change networkprotocol, etc.).

FIG. 2B shows a diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. The diagram contains numerous nodes (node A (210) andnode B (212)), a transmission network (204), a server (206), and a meshnetwork (214). In one embodiment, one or more nodes are operativelyconnected to a second node or additional nodes via the mesh network(214). In one embodiment, one or more nodes are operatively connected tothe server (206) via the transmission network (204). Each of thesecomponents is further described below.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, each node is a computingdevice (e.g., personal computer, embedded system, system on chip, systemon module, etc.). In one or more embodiments, one or more nodesinterfacing with the mesh network (214) may send/receive available datato/from the server (206) via the transmission network (204). In one ormore embodiments, one or more nodes within the various nodes maysend/receive available data to/from one or more other nodes via the meshnetwork (214). An exemplary node is further described in connection withFIG. 3.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the mesh network (214)includes one or more nodes connected over a wireless network protocol(e.g., ZigBee, Bluetooth). (ZigBee is a registered trademark of ZigBeeAlliance, Inc., San Ramon, Calif., USA. BLUETOOTH is a registeredtrademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc., Kirkland, Wash., USA). The meshnetwork (214) may route data transmitted by one node of the numerousnodes to one or more other nodes. While a mesh network (214) is shown,one of skill in the art could appreciate that a single controlling node(202) could function in the capacity of the mesh network (214) in one ormore embodiments of the invention.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the nodes (e.g., node A(210), node B (212)) operatively connected to mesh network (214) areresponsible for not only sending and receiving available data pertainingto said node, but also for routing available data from other sources(e.g., other nodes) to other destinations (e.g., transmission network(204)). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this configurationallows the mesh network (214) and communication among the nodesconnected to the mesh network (214) to function without centralizedcontrol. Further, the mesh network (214) is capable of functioning if anode or a link between two nodes exhibit failure, as there may bemultiple paths from any source to any destination.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node (202)includes a sensor (302), a network interface (304), a node memory (306),and a node processor (308), each of which may be operably connected toeach other. Each of these components is described further below.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node (202) includes asensor (302). In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor (302) iscapable of detecting a temperature reading and communicating thattemperature reading. Temperature, as referred to in this application, isany measure of heat or lack of heat (e.g., actual temperature, estimatedtemperature, indication of rising temperature, indication of fallingtemperature, etc.). In one or more embodiments of the invention, thesensor is located within the network interface (304). In otherembodiments of the invention, the sensor (302) is located within thenode (202) but external to the network interface (304). For example, thesensor (302) may be found within the node processor (308) or node memory(306).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node (202) includes anetwork interface (304). The network interface (304) is capable ofsending and/or receiving available data from components inside the node(202) (e.g., the sensor (302), the node memory (306), the node processor(308), etc.). In one or more embodiments of the invention, the networkinterface (304) is operably connected to the mesh network (214), and cansend and/or receive available data to/from the mesh network (214). Inone or more embodiments, the network interface (304) is operablyconnected to the transmission network (204), and can send and/or receiveavailable data to/from the transmission network (204).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node (202) includes anode memory (306). In one embodiment, the node memory (306) may storeavailable data for sending and/or receiving by the network interface(304). In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node memory(306) may store priority information associated with any available datacontained in the node memory (306). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the node memory (306) includes one or more aspects of thefunctionality of the memory (104) of FIG. 1.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the node (202) includes anode processor (308). In one or more embodiments of the invention, thenode processor (308) may control the components within the node (202)(e.g., the sensor (302), network interface (304), node memory (306),etc.). For example, the node processor (308) may operate to receive atemperature reading from the sensor (302). In another example, the nodeprocessor (308) may operate to store available data in the node memory(206). In another example, the node processor may operate to retrievedata sent over the transmission network (204) or stored in the nodememory (206). In one or more embodiments of the invention, the nodeprocessor (308) may determine priority information for certain subsetsof available data. The node processor (308) may also compare priorityinformation among certain subsets of available data. In one or moreembodiments of the invention, the node processor (308) includes one ormore aspects of the functionality of the computer processor(s) (102) ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. The process shown in FIG. 4 may be executed, for example,by one or more components (e.g., node (202), server (206), etc.))discussed above in reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. One or more steps shownin FIG. 4 may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in a differentorder among different embodiments. Accordingly, embodiments should notbe considered limited to the specific number and arrangement of stepsshown in FIG. 4.

Initially, a determination is made whether the temperature reading of anode exceeds a temperature threshold (STEP 402). This determination mayuse as input a reading taken from the sensor (e.g., a numericaltemperature value, an indication that the temperature is rising, etc.).In one example, the determination is based on a temperature reading atthe node. In another example, the determination is based on atemperature reading at the network interface. In another example, thedetermination is based on receiving a temperature reading at one or morecomponents of the system (e.g., the server) via the transmissionnetwork. The determination may be made by one or more components of thesystem, such as the server or the node. Those skilled in the art, havingthe benefit of this detailed description, will appreciate that multipletechniques of determining a temperature reading may be used, and thatthis invention applies to such techniques. In one example, thedetermination is made by comparing a temperature reading with athreshold temperature set in advance of the determination. In anotherexample, the determination is made by comparing a temperature readingcontaining a rate of change of the temperature with a threshold rate ofchange set in advance of the determination.

Although FIG. 4 shows only a single threshold, other embodiments of theinvention may have multiple temperature thresholds. These thresholds mayhave been programmed by a manufacturer of one or more components of thesystem. Additionally or alternatively, these thresholds may be receivedover the mesh network or the transmission network and may be updated atany time.

In one embodiment of the invention, if the above determination (STEP402) shows that the temperature reading has not exceeded a temperaturethreshold, in STEP 404 the node transmits available data based on thepriority of the available data. Such transmission may take place at theinitiation of a transmission by the node, or may take place in responseto a request or command transmitted by server to the node via thetransmission network. For example, the server may initiate a series ofrequests to the node over the transmission network to transmit availabledata, basing such requests on the priority of the available data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the priority of theavailable data is based on a predetermined value reflecting a subjectivedetermination of the importance of each subset of available data. In oneexample, this priority is reflected by classifying a particular subsetof available data as “high priority,” “medium priority,” or “lowpriority.” Priority of the available data may be determined by one ormore components of the system, such as the node or the server. Further,priority of the available data may also be associated with a request ora command from the server for the node to transmit a particular subsetof the available data. For example, a request for a particular subset ofavailable data reflecting a subjective determination of the importanceof the requested subset of available data may also have a priorityrating of “high priority,” “medium priority,” or “low priority.”Priority may also be represented in numerical format. For example, asubset of available data with a lower relative importance may have apriority of 1, whereas a subset of available data with a higher relativeimportance may have a priority of 5. Those skilled in the art, havingthe benefit of this detailed description, will appreciate that multipletechniques of determining priority information associated with availabledata may be used, and that this invention applies to such techniques.

In one embodiment, the available data may be transmitted by the node orrequested by the server in decreasing order of priority, with higherpriority available data being transmitted/requested before lowerpriority available data. In another embodiment, only a certain levelpriority and above of available data may be transmitted by the node orrequested by the server. In another embodiment, available data at orbelow a certain level priority (and/or requests for such available data)may be deleted or ignored by the node or server. One of ordinary skillin the art could, with the disclosure of this application, implement anynumber of priority schemes that are covered under one or moreembodiments of the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, if it is determined in STEP 406 thatthere is remaining available data to transmit, control proceeds back toSTEP 402.

In one embodiment of the invention, if the determination in STEP 402 isaffirmative, in STEP 408 the available duty cycle is calculated based ona temperature reading. In one or more embodiments of the invention, theduty cycle may be expressed as a measure of transmission time inrelation to the idle time of a network interface. For example, the dutycycle may be expressed in terms 10 seconds of transmission time followedby 1 minute and 50 seconds of idle time. In another embodiment of theinvention, the duty cycle may be expressed a measurement of bit-rateavailable for transmission of data via transmission network expressed inbits per second or multiples of it (bit/s, kbit/s, Mbit/s, Gbit/s,etc.).

The available duty cycle may be calculated by one or more components ofthe system, such as the node or the server. In one or more embodimentsof the invention, a set of predetermined duty cycles is associated witha range of temperature readings, with a higher temperature generallycorresponding to a lower duty cycle. For example, the node with atemperature reading of X may utilize a lookup table with X as a key toretrieve a duty cycle value of Y. In another example, the server with atemperature reading of Q may utilize a binary tree search with Q as akey to retrieve a duty cycle value of R. Although specific datastructures are mentioned herein, one of ordinary skill the art willappreciate that any acceptable data structure capable of associating andretrieving a duty cycle given a temperature reading may be used. In oneor more embodiments of the invention, the duty cycle may also becalculated as a function of the temperature reading.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, in STEP 410, the dataamount to transmit with the available duty cycle is calculated. The dataamount may be calculated by one or more components of the system, suchas the node or the server. In one example, the available duty cycle wascalculated to be a transmission time of 10 seconds with an idle time of1 minute and 50 seconds. In this example, the embodiment may calculatean amount of available data that may be transmitted within thetransmission time of 10 seconds. In another example, the available dutycycle was calculated to be a rate of 1000 bits/second. In this example,the embodiment may calculate an amount of available data that may betransmitted within the calculated rate of 1000 bits/second given knownor estimated parameters within the system, such as expected transmissionload, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, in STEP 412, the calculated amountof available data is transmitted based on the priority of the availabledata. In one embodiment of the invention, the node transmits a subset ofthe available data not exceeding the amount calculated in STEP 410 basedon the priority of the available data. Such transmission may take placeat the initiation of a transmission by the node, or may take place inresponse to a request or command transmitted by server to the node viathe transmission network. In one example, available data at or above acertain priority level is transmitted. In another example, availabledata at or above a certain priority level is transmitted, and anyremaining capacity as calculated in STEP 410 is filled with availabledata of decreasing levels of priority until the remaining capacity isfilled. In another example, available data at or below a certainpriority level is ignored or deleted from the system. In anotherexample, requests for available data at or above a certain prioritylevel are transmitted from the server to the node via the transmissionnetwork, and the requested available data at or above a certain prioritylevel is transmitted. In another example, requests for available data ator above a certain priority level are transmitted from the server to thenode via the transmission network, the requested available data at orabove a certain priority level is transmitted, and any remainingcapacity as calculated in STEP 410 is filled with requests for availabledata with decreasing levels of priority until the remaining capacity isfilled. In another example, requests for available data at or below acertain priority level are ignored or deleted from the system.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is an optional cooldown STEP414. For example, if the available duty cycle as calculated in STEP 408includes a transmission idle time (e.g., 1 minute and 50 seconds oftransmission idle time after each 10 seconds of transmission time), theembodiment may cease transmission (i.e., idling) for the duration of thetransmission idle time. In another embodiment, the network interface maypower down for the duration of the transmission idle time.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is then determined in STEP 416 ifthere is remaining available data to transmit. If the determination isaffirmative, the embodiment proceeds back to STEP 402.

FIG. 5 generally shows a more detailed example of the embodiments of theinvention disclosed in connection with FIG. 4. In one or moreembodiments of the invention, the steps disclosed in FIG. 5 generallytake place at the node.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, in STEP 502 the nodereceives available data to transmit. The available data may have comefrom within node, from hardware operatively connected to node, or fromanother node connected to node via a mesh network. Further, theavailable data may include different types of messages with differentpriority levels. For example, the available data may include a lowpriority status message, a high priority fault code, or any mixture ofdifferent subsets of available data with corresponding priority levels.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, in STEP 504 the nodedetermines the priority of the available data. The node may make thisdetermination based on looking up a predetermined priority value of eachsubset of available data; however one of ordinary skill in the art willbe able to envision a range of prioritization schemes that may beapplied to the available data and that are encompassed by one or moreembodiments of the invention.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, in STEP 506 the node thenassociates the priority determination with the available data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, in STEP 508 the nodedetermines whether the total amount of available data to transmit isover a predetermined size threshold for transmission. The size thresholdmay have been programmed by a manufacturer of one or more components ofthe system. Additionally or alternatively, the size threshold may bereceived over the mesh network or the transmission network and may beupdated at any time. If the determination is yes, then the embodimentproceeds to the process described in connection with FIG. 4.

If the determination in STEP 508 is negative, one or more embodiments ofthe invention proceed to STEP 512. In STEP 512, the embodiment maycompare the time that each subset of available data was received in STEP502 with a predetermined time threshold associated with the prioritydetermination that was associated with the subset of available data inSTEP 506. The time threshold may have been programmed by a manufacturerof one or more components of the system. Additionally or alternatively,the time threshold may be received over the mesh network or thetransmission network and may be updated at any time. For example, thenode may determine that a particular subset of available data has apriority of “high priority,” that the time threshold for “high priority”data is 5 seconds, and that the particular subset of available data hasnot been transmitted in over 5 seconds. If the result of thedetermination in STEP 512 is yes, the embodiment proceeds to the processdescribed in connection with FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 describes a smart city network (600) in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. The smart city network (600) includes a setof nodes (node 1 (602), node 2 (604), and node 3 (606)) connected toeach other via a mesh network (214). Node 1 (602) is connected to streetlight 1 (608), node 2 (604) is connected to street light 2 (610), andnode 3 (606) is connected to smart power meter (612) such that eachconnected pair can exchange data via a data exchange mechanisms (e.g.,ZigBee, Bluetooth, Power Line Communication (PLC), WiFi, or similarprotocol). (ZigBee is a registered trademark of ZigBee Alliance, Inc.,San Ramon, Calif., USA. BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of BluetoothSIG, Inc., Kirkland, Wash., USA. WiFi is a registered trademark of Wi-FiAlliance, Austin, Tex., USA). Further, according to one embodiment ofthe invention, node 3 (606) is connected to server (206) via thetransmission network (204).

In this example, node 3 (606) may collect data from the smart powermeter (612) for transmission to the server (206) via the transmissionnetwork (204). Node 3 (606) may collect different types of data fromsmart power meter (612) that have different levels of priority. Forexample, node 3 (606) may collect a power consumption reading from smartpower meter (612) that is determined to be low priority. In anotherexample, node 3 (606) may collect an error message from smart powermeter (612) showing total failure of the meter that is determined to behigh priority.

Node 3 (606) may also receive data intended for server (206) from node 1(602) via the mesh network (214) that originated from street light 1(608). Further, node 3 (606) may also receive data intended for server(206) from node 2 (604) via the mesh network (214) that originated fromstreet light 2 (610). The data received at node 3 (606) that is intendedfor server (206) may be of differing levels of priority, for example alow priority ambient light reading originating from street light 1 (608)and a system malfunction message originating from street light 2 (610).Since node 3 (606) is operatively connected to server (206) viatransmission network (204), in this example, node 3 (606) forwards thedata from node 1 (602) and node 2 (604) to server (206) via transmissionnetwork (204) as if the data had originated at node 3 (606) or the smartpower meter (612).

In one embodiment of the invention, node 3 (606) transmits availabledata received from smart power meter (612) and via the mesh network(214) from node 1 (602) and node 2 (604) based on the priority of theavailable data. In one example, node 3 (606) transmits available data ator above a certain priority level, such as only equipment failurenotifications. In another example, node 3 (606) transmits available datain a decreasing order of priority, such as transmitting the equipmentfailure notifications before the ambient light readings and powerconsumption readings. In another example, node 3 (606) may disregard,ignore, or delete available data at or below a predetermined prioritythreshold.

In one or more embodiments, the smart city network (600) may seek tolower the operating temperature of node 3 (606) for more reliable andeffective operation of both the node 3 (606) and the smart power meter(612). The temperature of node 3 (606) may be lowered calculating, usinga temperature reading, a transmission duty cycle of node 3 (606),calculating a data amount capable of being transmitted with thetransmission duty cycle, and transmitting, from a network interface(304) of node 3 (606), a plurality of available data at a rate less thanthe data amount based on the priority of the plurality of the availabledata.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the embodiment may act tocool node 3 (606) for a predetermined period of time to lower thetemperature of node 3 (606). For example, node 3 (606) may transmitavailable data to server (206) via transmission network (204) for onepredetermined period of transmission time (K), then enter into an idleperiod where no available data is transmitted for another predeterminedperiod of time (L). In this example, further cooling of node 3 (606) maybe achieved by decreasing K and/or increasing L. In another example,should the temperature of node 3 (606) fall to a desired degree, therate of transmission of available data may be increased by increasing Kand/or decreasing L.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the temperature ofnode 3 (606) may be reduced by reducing the amount of available data fortransmission, as reducing the quantity of data transmitted reduces theheat generated from such transmission. Such a reduction may be achievedin multiple ways. For example, the node 3 (606) may transmit availabledata based on the priority of the available data as described herein.For example, node 3 (606) may transmit only available data with acertain priority level or higher via the transmission network (204) tothe server (206), which reduces or eliminates the heat generated fromthe transmission of lower priority available data. Alternatively, node 3(606) may transmit data in decreasing order of associated prioritylevel. In another example, node 3 (606) may delete or ignore availabledata with an associated priority level at or below a predeterminedpriority level.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the temperature ofnode 3 (606) may be reduced by reducing the rate at which the availabledata is transmitted via the transmission network (204) to the server(206). A reduction of the transmission rate may reduce the total heatgenerated from the transmission of the available data, and may reducethe temperature of node 3 (606).

According to another embodiment of the invention, in this example,available data from node 3 (606) may only be sent to server (206) inresponse to a command or request sent from server (206) to node 3 (606).For example, server (206) may transmit a request to node 3 (606) viatransmission network (204) requesting any equipment failurenotifications, or alternatively requesting any ambient power readings.

Further, in this example, node 3 (606) may transmit temperature readingscontaining an indication of the temperature of node 3 (606) to server(206). In this instance, server (206) has a temperature reading of node3 (606), Should server (206) deem it useful to lower the temperature ofnode 3 (606), server (206) can base the requests or commands for data onthe priority of the requested or commanded data. For example, should atemperature reading from node 3 (606) indicate that the temperature isabove a certain threshold (e.g., node 3 is above 40 degrees Celsius),server (206) can modify the commands or requests sent to node 3 (606) ina similar manner to the transmission based on the priority of availabledata that was discussed herein with respect to node 3 (606).

In another example, should a temperature reading from node 3 (606)indicate that the temperature is above a certain threshold (e.g., node 3is above 40 degrees Celsius), server (206) can instruct node 3 (606) tobegin cooling for a predetermined period of time in one of the mannersdescribed herein.

In this example, the transmission of available data based on thepriority of the available data as described herein may be combined withone or more examples of reducing the temperature of a specific node.Listing specific combinations in no way is meant to limit the inventionto those specific examples.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling thermal properties of anode, comprising: calculating, using a temperature reading, atransmission duty cycle of the node; calculating a data amount capableof being transmitted with the transmission duty cycle; and transmitting,from a network interface of the node, a plurality of available data at arate less than the data amount based on a priority of the plurality ofavailable data.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingthe plurality of available data; determining the priority of theplurality of available data; and associating the priority with theplurality of available data.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: cooling the node for a predetermined period of time.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: increasing the predeterminedperiod of time for cooling the node.
 5. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: powering down the network interface of the node.
 6. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: idling the network interface ofthe node.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the plurality ofavailable data further comprises: transmitting available data above aminimum priority.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting theplurality of available data further comprises: transmitting availabledata in a decreasing order of priority.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the network interface is a cellular modem.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the network interface is operatively connected to amesh network.
 11. A system for controlling thermal properties of a node,comprising: a transmission network; and a server and the nodeoperatively connected to the server via the transmission network,wherein the node comprises a first processor configured to: calculate,using a temperature reading, a transmission duty cycle of the node;calculate a data amount capable of being transmitted with thetransmission duty cycle; and transmit, from a network interface of thenode, a plurality of available data at a rate less than the data amountbased on a priority of the plurality of the available data.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the first processor is further configuredto: receive the plurality of the available data; determine the priorityof the plurality of the available data; and associate the priority withthe plurality of the available data.
 13. The system of claim 11, thefirst processor is further configured to: cool the node for apredetermined period of time.
 14. The system of claim 11, furthercomprising: a second processor configured to: calculate, using thetemperature reading, the transmission duty cycle of the node; calculatethe data amount capable of being transmitted with the transmission dutycycle; and transmit, from the network interface of the node, theplurality of available data at a rate less than the data amount based onthe priority of the plurality of the available data.
 15. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the second processor is further configured to: coolthe node for a predetermined period of time.
 16. The system of claim 11,wherein the node and the server are connected via a cellular datanetwork.
 17. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a second nodeconnected to the node.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the secondnode is connected to the node via a mesh network.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed byone or more hardware processors, causes operations to: calculate, usinga temperature reading, a transmission duty cycle of the node; calculatea data amount capable of being transmitted with the transmission dutycycle; and transmit, from a network interface of the node, a pluralityof available data at a rate less than the data amount based on thepriority of the plurality of the available data.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 19 further comprising executableinstructions to: receive the plurality of the available data; determinethe priority of the plurality of the available data; and associate thepriority with the plurality of the available data.